A One Way Trip (A Percy Jackson FanFiction) *SLOW UPDATES*

Chapter 6

 Okay, okay. The flying horse was starting to get on my nerves. Ever since I'd woken up on the back of my pegasus, he'd been talking non stop.

 Boss, he whinnied, I told 'em! I told 'em you hadn't snuffed it! And I was right! Did you bring me some donuts? Cause you know how much I love donuts. How about some donuts for your noble steed, eh? Can we stop off for donuts? I told 'em you weren't dead!

 "No, Blackjack. No donuts. We need to get to camp, okay? Annabeth's in danger. But maybe donuts next time."

 He stopped complaining and looked hopeful.

 We soared over endless miles of clouds, swooping and sliding, the sudden cold blasting my face. I could tell Blackjack was excited. Too excited. We were going to crash at this rate.

 "Blackjack!" I yelled over the rushing wind, "Cool it! Donut time later!"

 You got it, boss.

 "What have I told you about - "

 Okay, okay. Sorry.

 "Thanks."

 Finally.

 Boss.

 Grr.

 Suddenly, Blackjack dipped below the clouds, and I knew we were here. The climbing wall stood like a beacon in the distance, lava spewing down its sides. The familiar blue roof of the Big House glowed brightly, the circles of cabins buzzed with life. I could make out tiny, ant-sized figures going about their usual routines, and I swear on the river Styx I could see a miniaturized Mr. D sitting on the front porch, playing pinochle with someone I strongly suspected to be Chiron. Thalia's pine and Half Blood Hill sped towards us, and Blackjack slowed to land. 

 And of course, that's when I abruptly died for the second time.

 Something knocked us out of the sky.

 ***

 [Flashback starts]

 About ten minutes ago.

***

 Chiron stood on the front porch, waiting patiently for someone to appear. Sure enough, a scrawny Latino boy, about fifteen or so, came charging out of the forest.

 "S-sorry." he panted, bending over to catch his breath, "Sorry Chiron, I know, I know. Leo's late yet again. Next time I'll be on time."

 The other man sitting on the porch, with a beer belly and wearing a pudgy Hawaiian shirt so bright it hurt your eyes, frowned and twisted round.

 "I don't like your tone, boy. Lewis Valdon, wasn't it?"

 "Leo Valdez, sir."

 "Hmph. Do I look as if, what do you mortals say, I even care?"

 "No, sir."

 "Good, then. At least we got that clear." And with a final hmph, Mr. D, or Dionysus, turned round back to his pinochle game against some terrified satyrs.

 Chiron looked at his fellow immortal with slight distaste. Then his eyes drifted back to Leo, who was still waiting at the bottom of the steps.

 The son of Hephaestus could have sworn the old centaur had been crying. His eyes were rimmed with a thin line of red. But that was to be expected. Today of all days.

 "Leo? Are you even listening to me?" Chiron looked slightly miffed. Leo hadn't even realized he was talking. Stupid ADHD.

 "Sorry." he mumbled.